When the Black Moon Rises - Side Story 27
Side Story 27
Those passing through the wide corridors of Baek Residence often witnessed the sight of Baek Manyong smiling with a completely unguarded face beside the Mystic Ruler and the Baek Clan Head.
His expression was so unguarded and innocent.
Witnesses often questioned the moniker created for Baek Manyong: 'The Baek Clan's Chancellor, so steadfast that no other candidate could be considered.'
But in truth, he was a talent whose work-processing ability was among the best of all chancellors in history.
The position of Chancellor to the head clan of the Six Clans was one that came with more responsibilities than rewards.
He had to handle not only the flood of internal clan affairs but also all sorts of minor incidents occurring within the Six Clans.
Overwork was a given, to the point where he couldn't even have any personal time.
The joke, "If you want to live a short life, take the Chancellor's seat," didn't come from nowhere.
However, to Baek Manyong, who had held an extraordinary admiration for Divine Beasts since he was young, it was simply a position full of glory.
Personal time? What was so important about that?
When he could serve the Clan Head from the closest possible distance.
Overwork? Hmph, I, Baek Manyong, will not collapse from a mere workload like this.
Thus, his time existed solely for the Baek Clan. To the extent that he would be heartbroken just imagining this position, which others shunned, going to someone else.
However, for this man who had been so clan-first, a hobby had emerged for the first time in the last three years.
Of course, he would never admit it was a hobby.
"Manyong hyuuung. We want snow flowers.”
"Snow flowers?"
"Yeah. We're going to pick flowers, can't we read the book a little later?"
Two pairs of large, jet-black eyes, like wild grapes, looked up at him and asked.
Gasp!
Baek Manyong clutched his chest.
It wasn't that he was blinded by love; these two children were just truly, incredibly cute.
They were children who boasted flawless, perfect features from the moment they were born.
With everyone in Baek Residence pouring affection on such children, pushing snacks on them, and scurrying about to get even a moment more of their attention.
It was only natural that in a few years, the children's white cheeks had puffed up, transforming into a shape that made one want to bite them just by looking.
And those plump lips visible between cheeks like sticky rice cakes!
When those pink lips moved, spitting out lisping words, no one could resist granting them anything.
But who was he?
He was Baek Manyong, the Chancellor of the Baek Clan, who bore the responsibility of volunteering for the villain's role for the sake of this Baek Clan and the two precious Young Lords.
"There is a break time, isn't there? Snow flowers can be picked even after you've finished your studies, right?"
"......"
"Therefore, our Baek Clan's brilliant hope and radiant light will finish reading the book and then go, won't you?"
"I've told you time and again. At the Young Lords' age, it is most important to learn what it means to lead the clan. What it means to stand above and take responsibility for many family members. What kind of responsibility is needed... Ah, you startled me!"
"Goodness. What are you keep saying to four-year-olds? You're so over the top."
Youngchae, who had flown in like the wind and blocked Baek Manyong, bent her knees and carefully fastened the fronts of the children's coats.
"You can go out, but it's very cold outside, so just stay for a little while and then come back in. Understood?"
"What are you talking about? The two Young Lords must study now."
"They're still young. It's fine to take a short break and pick some flowers."
"Hmph. You must not know. Traditionally, the Young Lords of the Baek Clan begin their studies at two and already show extraordinary talent by three."
"Oh, is that so? But what can you do? It is the Mystic Ruler's will that the Young Lords do not start their studies right away. Are you daring to contradict the Mystic Ruler's will now?"
"Ugh, that's......."
Baek Manyong would believe Sehwa even if she claimed to make meju from red beans, but he was a little concerned about this part.
Until now, all the Young Lords of the Baek Clan had started their studies at the age of two.
'It's alright; they can study when they're a little older, it won't be too late.'
Sehwa had said so and hadn't even assigned a teacher to the children.
She didn't even say anything if the children slept all day, as long as they ate their meals on time.
The Clan Head also said to leave them as the Mystic Ruler wished and raised no objections.
It was a situation that made only the watching Baek Manyong anxious.
Fortunately, she hadn't forbidden them from learning their letters, so he had intended to guide the children's learning in that way at least.
That, too, was only when one of the three sisters didn't rush over to stop him like this.
"......Alright. But only for today. From tomorrow, you must not throw such unreasonable tantrums. You must finish reading the book first before doing other things. Understood?"
"You two must learn your studies quickly so you can help your mother and father with their work later. You want to be with your mother and father, don't you? Right?"
"......Yeah."
"......Yeah."
"Then what did I say you should do?"
"......We have to read the book."
"............We have to study hard."
"Well done. Our two Young Lords are so intelligent. Now, hurry along. After you return, you must have lunch, so there's no time if you are to read all of today's portion of the book."
Nodding obediently, yet looking a little more sullen than before, the children walked away, accompanied by Youngchae and their guards.
'Haa. My heart.'
Watching their toddling steps, Baek Manyong clutched his chest once more.
'Dangerous. This cuteness is too dangerous.'
As expected. There were too many mountain bandit-like people here, covetously eyeing this dangerous cuteness.
The children were caught in the corridor before they could even go pick flowers.
"Little ones. Are your studies finished? Then won't you go to the Cheon Clan with grandpa? If you go to the Cheon Clan, there are lots of shiny beads like this. They're all for you, little ones."
"No, little ones, let's go to the Jang Clan. One Spirit Orb from our Jang Clan, filled with healing power, is much better than a million of those things. Then, even if you fall while playing, you can heal your own knees."
"You should go to the Kang Clan. I, the Kang Clan Head, was the first among the clan heads to pledge loyalty to your mother. You could say I'm the closest aide. The order should be followed from number one, right? So let's go to the Kang Clan."
"Closest aide? What a joke. Grandpa is right here, so of course, you should go to grandpa's territory first!"
"Wait!"
Baek Manyong rushed over and blocked the children's path.
"All three of you, stop! How dare you try to kidnap our innocent two young masters right in front of me, while I'm watching with my eyes wide open!"
"Kidnap! It's an excursion, an excursion!"
"What outrageous words! An excursion, indeed!"
"Enough, our young masters will not take a single step out of this Baek Residence until they are fully grown. So, if the three of you have finished your business, please leave the Baek Clan territory now. It is not good for clan heads to be away from their own territories for so long."
"What is this? Are you kicking us out now? Is this a move to break the Six Clans' agreement?"
"If you treat us so poorly, we will issue a statement against the Baek Clan. Is that alright with you!"
As the adults suddenly began to raise their voices, Youngchae and Youngmu quickly rescued the two Young Lords.
"Come this way. You two Young Masters. It doesn't seem to be the day for it, so let's pick snow flowers tomorrow. How about eating the delicious snacks your Ju Clan grandfather sent today instead?"
"Snacks! This grandpa's room is full of them too!"
"What's the big deal about having a lot? Come here, little ones, if you go to the Kang Clan with grandpa, I'll build you a whole pavilion out of snacks!"
"You need healing power to eat a lot and grow well! Don't forget that this grandpa's room has many Spirit Orbs with healing power!"
One might say he was being overly sensitive, but with such bandits lurking everywhere.
Baek Manyong couldn't let his guard down for a single moment.
Thus, when Youngchae came looking for Baek Manyong at the Young Lords' study time, he was glaring, wondering where another ridiculous clan head might pop out from.
Youngchae clicked her tongue.
"It's plain to see what you'll do when you have a daughter. That child won't even be able to cross the threshold because of her overbearing father."
"Enough. I don't think there's anyone who can understand this deep loyalty of mine to the Baek Clan. I'll live my whole life dedicating my body to the clan without ever marrying."
"I've never seen anyone who says that actually not get married."
"Hmph, I'm different from those people. I will only have eyes for someone who can serve our Clan Head and Mystic Ruler with more loyalty than I do............"
"Eyes for?"
The image of Youngchae, not letting go of Seowol even while being stabbed all over by her sword, briefly surfaced in Baek Manyong's memory before sinking again.
'It's not a good memory, so why does this scene always pop up so suddenly?'
Manyong hurriedly shook his head.
"......That's what I mean."
"In short, you can't be with anyone who isn't a loyal servant?"
"Yes? Ah, that's it, but."
Baek Manyong, clearing his throat as if to erase the thought, took a step back.
Then he opened his mouth towards the Young Lords who were staring at him.
"Ahem, ahem. Anyway, Young Masters. You must never, ever follow someone or go out without my permission or the permission of others. Understood?"
The children nodded at Baek Manyong's serious eyes.
Smiling at the children, he then instructed them to sit properly at their desks.
After that, he repeatedly reminded them of the virtues the Young Lords must embody.
You must not throw tantrums.
You must not cause trouble and make those around you suffer.
You must always be dignified.
Because you, the Young Lords, will become the great Clan Heads who stand above all in this Mystic Realm.
Especially, you must never be lazy in your studies.
Listening to the already familiar words repeated at every opportunity, the children rolled their eyes with faces that wanted to run away.
But even while reading the children's thoughts, Baek Manyong meticulously recited the norms and rules of the Baek Clan so that these Young Lords could grow up splendidly.
With the sense of mission that since no one else was doing it, he had to take on the unpleasant role for the sake of the Young Lords.
Thus, his lesson time was endlessly extended until Youngchae, unable to watch any longer, hit him on the back and told him to stop.
The time the children, who were loved by everyone, looked forward to the most was breakfast with their parents.
In fact, until just a short while ago, they could be with their parents all day, so breakfast time wasn't that important to the children.
But the problem was some of the surviving Ju Clan bloodline and the elders of the Six Clans who had acted as the Ju Clan's lackeys.
They had been pretending to repent, overwhelmed by the absolute divine power Sehwa had shown at her ascension ceremony.
But then, news spread that the Mystic Ruler had been asleep for over half a year due to the aftereffects of a difficult birth.
And that there was a possibility she might never wake up?
How could they miss such a golden opportunity?
Thus, in the meantime, they quickly began to exploit the spiritual power of the territory's people again.
They paused for a moment to gauge the situation when Sehwa woke up, but as soon as they learned she needed a long time to recover, they started causing even bigger trouble.
Thus, they ended up being caught by Elder Yeonggong, who was tracking those who dared to leak internal clan affairs to the outside.
Furious at the fact that there were people who had been deprived of their spiritual power and murdered again, Sehwa decided not to show mercy to a single one of them.
To round up those she had targeted as quickly as possible, she had no choice but to prioritize work over the children for a while.
Because of that, the children always woke up as early as possible and ran to their parents' room a little sooner.
But today was a little different from other days.
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